Gardening used to be the past time of older adults, but more people are now becoming interested in horticulture. In the past couple of years, millennials reportedly breathed a new life to the plant industry. Meanwhile, clean living encouraged more people to grow their own food in their own backyard. However, anyone can reap the many benefits of gardening, no matter which age group they may belong.
It is Easy
Gardening would require a lot of your time and, as a beginner, you would need to do your research to learn what to plant and how to keep it alive. But, once you find your rhythm, gardening will be like a walk in the park. You can easily find the stuff you need from local stores that specialize in selling garden products in Salt Lake City so you do not have to worry.
Natural Stress Reliever
Gardening is a hobby that has been proven to reduce stress. A previous study by Dutch researchers found that caring for plants for 30 minutes lowered the cortisol levels of participants who have undergone a stressful task. Cortisol is the hormone that is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” instinct when faced with a difficult situation. Cortisol is also referred to as the “stress hormone.”
Another study found that spending time in nature has positive effects on stress and anxiety. Researchers found that just 20 to 30 minutes of strolling in a park or sitting in a garden significantly reduced people’s levels of cortisol, promoting relaxation among participants. Its capability to lift moods may be one of the primary reasons why more young people, who reportedly are experiencing high levels of stress, have become more interested in gardening.
Makes You Healthy
Gardening is a physical activity. In fact, caring for your plant babies can burn as much as 330 calories in just one hour or more than the calories you burn from walking at a moderate pace. People who garden also have lower body mass indexes (BMI) compared to those who don’t.
This hobby also encourages you to spend more time outside and soak up on sunlight. The sun triggers your body’s production of vitamin D, which helps maintain bone density and improve your overall health. Exposure to natural daylight will also reset your internal body clock and help you sleep better at night.
Moreover, planting and caring for your own fruits and vegetables ensures that you eat a more balanced diet. People who do gardening develop a life-long habit of eating healthy, especially among kids.
It Can Save You Money
The time and effort you invest in your garden will be rewarded not just with a healthy body and a healthy mind, but also a heavier wallet. When you grow your own food in your own backyard, you may notice that your shopping list has become shorter. You no longer have to buy certain fruits and vegetables because you already have them in your own backyard. The food you cook, too, will taste better because you know the ingredients you use are fresh and you reduce the amount of time you have to order your meals from a restaurant.
You can even sell the fruits, vegetables, or flowers or create your own pickles and jams to sell to family, friends, and neighbors. Gardening is a hobby that will give you financial gains in the long run.